Big Fun: Mini Countryman John Cooper Works Tester Spied at the ‘Ring

The Mini Countryman is about to get some big power to go along with its big (for a Mini) size. How much more power? We can’t confirm by looking at these recent spy shots snapped at the Nürburgring, but it’s rumored that Mini will tweak the turbo-charged, four-cylinder 1.6-liter engine to put out anywhere between 220 to 230-hp.

We think that should be more than enough to compensate for the Countryman’s added weight and all-wheel drive system. The JCW versions of the Countryman’s smaller siblings are all tuned to put out 208-hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, but they are also lighter; the JCW hardtop, convertible and Clubman all tip the scales below 3,000 pounds, while the Countryman ALL4 is 208 pounds over.And as the spy photos reveal, the souped up Countryman will sport the typical exterior touches found on all JCW Minis including special wheels, painted brake calipers, a contrasting roof color, and an aggressive body kit. The JCW Countryman should also get a stiffer and sportier suspension to help out in the handling department, one of the weaknesses often pointed out on the standard variants.

There’s no confirmation on price, but it should mirror the premium that current JCW models command over the “S” versions, which is about $6,000 to $7,000. With a starting price of $27,650 (including the $700 destination) for a base model Countryman S ALL4, a JCW variant could theoretically cost anywhere from $33,000 to $35,000. Expensive indeed, but the automaker hopes to attract customers who want the quirks and spirit of a Mini with added cargo space and four-door practicality. Stay tuned for more details.